Course Descriptions

Bachelor's

Course Descriptions

Core Courses

WLDN 1000 Dynamics of Walden Success: Learning Lab (1 cr.)
Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University’s online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

EDUC 1001 Introduction to Education (5 cr.)
This course presents an overview of the field of early care and education. Emphasis is on the elements of high-quality programs, governing standards and regulations, and historical perspectives. The course will also focus on what it means to be a professional and on career options in the field of early care and education.

EDUC 1002 Pioneers and Philosophies of Education (5 cr.)
This course examines the historical and philosophical roots of educational programs for children, beginning with the ancient Greeks. Students will explore thinkers and philosophies that have influenced current ideas about effective practices, beginning with early childhood education. The course also critically examines educational philosophies and methods in light of current social, political, and economic forces impacting children, families, and the field. Based on their learning, students will begin to develop a reasoned, coherent personal philosophy of education as a basis for ethical and professional practice and decision-making.

EDUC 1003 Educational Psychology (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of psychological concepts and theories as they relate to the field of early care and education. Students will study behavioral, cognitive, social, and constructivist views of learning. Emphases include research-based principles and their implications on child development, learning, teaching, and assessment.

EDUC 1004 Child Development (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of physical, cognitive/language, and social and emotional development in children from birth through adolescence. Students will explore prevailing philosophies and theories of child development and form their own child development philosophy. The latest research and thinking with regard to the conditions that affect children’s learning and development, such as risk factors, developmental variations, temperament, rate of maturation, innate abilities, culture, family, community, and societal influences, will be addressed across developmental domains and stages.

EDUC 1005 Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition (5 cr.)
This course presents an overview of the impact of nutrition, safety, and health on the growth and development of the young child. Students will examine the professional’s role in supporting children’s healthy development within the context of early childhood care and education and family and community settings. Topics include prevention of health problems common to young children and methods of promoting wellness and fitness. Also addressed are child safety, emergency preparedness and procedures, and child mental health.

EDUC 1006 Child, Family, and Community Relationships (5 cr.)
A survey of the ways in which professionals and families work together for the benefit of young children, this course offers a study of formal and informal communication strategies; family participation in group settings; family education; advocacy for families; and the impact of family, culture, and community on children’s development and learning within early childhood programs. Special attention is given to supporting child and family resiliency within the context of divorce, child abuse and neglect, illness and death of family members, and life in today’s complex society.

EDUC 1011 Making Connections: The Early Childhood Field (2 cr.)
The early childhood field and related themes, issues, and controversies are explored in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities within the field of early care and education.

EDUC 1012 Making Connections: The Developing Child (2 cr.)
Themes, issues, and controversies related to how children develop will be the focus of this course. Students make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities related to the developing child.

EDUC 1013 Making Connections: The Well-Being of Children (2 cr.)
Children’s overall well-being is related not only to their health and safety but also to quality relationships among early childhood professionals, family, and community members. This course examines themes, issues, and challenges related to the fostering of children’s overall well-being. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, developments, and possibilities related to healthy growth and development within early childhood, family, and community settings.

EDUC 2001 Language Development (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the theories of language acquisition and language development of young children from infancy through preschool. Students will explore how children acquire and develop language as well as gain an understanding of emergent reading and writing. Special attention will be given to bilingualism, atypical speech and language development, and the impact of culture and environment on language.

EDUC 2002 Children’s Literature (5 cr.)
This survey course focuses on the power and quality of children’s literature—birth through adolescence. A wide variety of genres are explored with emphasis on how children’s literature can delight and inspire young readers as well as promote respect for diversity. Students will learn the characteristics of high-quality literature and engage in critical evaluation and selection of books from various genres and for specific age groups. Students also learn about prominent authors, illustrators, and book awards.

EDUC 2011 Making Connections: The Foundations of Literacy (2 cr.)
Themes, issues, and developments in the foundations of literacy will be explored in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities within the fields of language development and children’s literature.

EDUC 3003 Observation and Assessment of the Young Child (5 cr.)
This course presents developmentally appropriate formal and informal assessments, including observational techniques for assessing young children’s development and learning. Students will learn how to use specific tools, and the data generated from them, to inform effective decision-making and instructional planning. Also addressed are ethical and legal considerations as well as other related issues and controversies.

EDUC 4004 Children with Special Needs (5 cr.)
In the context that all individuals are unique, this course provides an overview of exceptionalities in children from birth through adolescence. Early identification, referral, intervention, inclusion, and the related psychosocial needs of children and their families are highlighted. In addition, the course provides an overview of federal and state legislation that guides educational requirements.

EDUC 4005 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (5 cr.)
This course emphasizes the importance of being responsive to the languages and cultures of individual children and their families and communities in order to effectively support learning and development. The course will broaden students’ understanding of culture as a framework that includes not only language and ethnicity, but also gender, socioeconomic status, exceptionalities, family configuration, sexual orientation, personal interests, and many other aspects of one’s individuality. In addition, students will reflect on their own cultural frameworks and examine personal attitudes and beliefs.

EDUC 4011 Making Connections: The Individuality of Children (2 cr.)
Themes, issues, and controversies related to the special needs and individuality of children will be explored in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities associated with understanding and meeting the needs of individual children and their families.

EDUC 4012 Making Connections: Living in a Diverse World (2 cr.)
Themes, issues, and challenges specific to living in a diverse society are examined in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research and controversies; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends and possibilities related to the areas of social responsibility and cultural and linguistic diversity.

Capstone

EDUC 4001 Capstone (7 cr.)
This course provides students the opportunity to integrate theories of child development, principles of effective early childhood practice, and methods of working with young children and their families learned throughout the program. Students are required to create a project that demonstrates both synthesis and application of this knowledge.

Administration and Management Concentration Courses

BUSI 1002 Introduction to Management and Leadership (5 cr.)
This introductory course addresses the role and functions of managers, specifically principles and procedures for planning, organizing, leading, and controlling organizations. Emphasized is the practical application of theory to reality. This course is structured so that students have the opportunity to see the interrelationships among the functions, components, and disciplines that comprise the field of management and thereby gain a comprehensive perspective as a foundation for the further study of management.

EDUC 3101 Professionalism and Advocacy in the Early Childhood Field (5 cr.)
This course examines the changing landscape of early care and education, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of the early childhood teaching professional in infant/toddler and preschool settings. Students will explore the complexities of developmentally appropriate practice as well as learn what it means to be an advocate—for children, their families, and the profession itself. The course emphasizes the importance of keeping up with current research in the field and engaging in professional activities and organizations to ensure continual professional growth and learning.

EDUC 3011 Making Connections: Managing and Leading Child Development Centers and Programs (2 cr.)
Managing child development centers in the 21st century requires a complex array of leadership skills and dispositions. In this course, students explore the various types, purposes, and theoretical foundations of child development programs and examine the NAEYC core competencies for directors. Emphasis is placed on the leader’s role in managing the organization as a whole—including overseeing regulatory and business concerns, establishing policies and procedures, and carrying out the organization’s mission and vision.

BUSI 3008 Corporate Entrepreneurship (5 cr.)
This course examines how corporations succeed and grow by embracing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the organization. Students learn about current models for corporate entrepreneurship and innovation that align with the strategic objectives of the greater enterprise. The design of repeatable and sustainable processes that leverage existing business practices and support entrepreneurial initiatives is emphasized.

HRMG 3001 Human Resource Management (5 cr.)
This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of human resource management. Traditional topics such as job analysis and design, recruitment, selection, performance appraisal, training, staffing, career management, compensation, benefits, health and safety, and employee relations are examined. Technology-based resources are also evaluated.

EDUC 3012 Making Connections: Fiscal and Personnel Management of Child Development Centers and Programs (2 cr.)
A child development center is a business like any other; it must be operated and staffed with precision. This course prepares child development center directors and managers for the financial and human relations aspects of the job. Topics covered include constructing and managing a budget, maintaining accurate financial reports, fundraising, staffing, personnel management, and professional development.

BUSI 4002 Small Business Ventures (5 cr.)
This course focuses on evaluating business concepts and business plans for small businesses to help students develop strategies for successfully launching, operating, and managing a small business. Students will examine the small business life cycle and become familiar with resources available to small business owners. Real-world case studies covering content ranging from legal matters to employment decisions are used to expose students to the challenges of running a small business enterprise.

BUSI 4003 Marketing Strategies for Small Business (5 cr.)
This course addresses the unique aspects of marketing a small business. Students examine market definition, product development, and diversification strategies designed to help the small business owner expand his or her business reach. The importance of leveraging technology such as e-commerce, social media, and other online marketing methods is stressed.

EDUC 4006 Making Connections: Operating Child Development Centers and Programs (2 cr.)
Operating a child development center requires the wearing of multiple hats. This course focuses on the day-to-day operational duties managers and directors must perform in order to keep the facility running safely and smoothly. Topics include marketing and public relations; facilities management to ensure proper health, nutrition, and safety conditions; and family communication and support. Legal and ethical issues in working with children and families are also explored.

Preschool Concentration Courses

EDUC 3103 Guiding Young Children’s Behavior (5 cr.)
Proactive guidance and positive, safe learning environments promote healthy child development and learning. This course focuses on understanding and fostering social and emotional development in preschool-age children and provides students with strategies for establishing classroom communities in which all children feel safe, valued, and respected. Topics include teaching social skills, routines, and procedures; collaborating with families; preventing and working with challenging behaviors; developing problem-solving abilities; and organizing the classroom setting to support learning, cooperation, and social and emotional growth.

EDUC 3111 Making Connections: Foundations of Preschool Teaching (2 cr.)
Professionalism, advocacy, and preschool education provide the focus of the themes, issues, and challenges examined in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, controversies, and possibilities related to working in the early childhood field with preschool-age children and their families.

EDUC 3112 Making Connections: Effective Learning Environments (2 cr.)
Creating optimal preschool learning environments and related themes, issues, and challenges set the context for this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, controversies, and possibilities associated with establishing effective preschool learning environments.

EDUC 4102 Play and Learning for the Preschool Child (5 cr.)
This course addresses an essential question in early childhood education: Why is play integral to children’s development and learning? Students will not only learn the theory, methods, and materials needed to support and enhance children’s play and learning in preschool settings but also better understand the vital role of play in fostering growth in each of the developmental domains. Topics include setting up developmentally appropriate environments, providing opportunities for high-quality, productive play and learning experiences, and assessing development and learning through observation of play-based activities and learning experiences.

EDUC 4104 Inclusive Practices in Classroom Communities (5 cr.)
All children have the right to develop and learn in classroom communities that support diverse, individual needs. This course focuses on the ways in which preschool teachers can build inclusive environments that exemplify developmentally appropriate practice. Students will learn strategies that support inclusion, meet identified needs, and foster a sense of classroom community. Additional topics include observation and assessment, developing partnerships with families, collaborating with support resources, legal regulations and issues, and the roles of reflection and evidence-based decision-making.

EDUC 4105 Early Literacy (5 cr.)
This course explores current research on the most effective methods of promoting literacy development in preschool children. Using the “five pillars” of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension) as an organizational framework, teachers explore the characteristics of emergent readers and writers and learn about developmentally appropriate assessments, materials, and strategies for instruction, including developing literacy through play and effectively using current technologies. The integral role of literacy across the curriculum is highlighted.

EDUC 4106 Teaching Across Content Areas in Preschool (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the use of developmentally appropriate practices to teach within and across specific content areas in the preschool curriculum. Students will learn how to develop meaningful and enduring early childhood learning experiences in mathematics, social studies, science, language and literacy, health and physical education, and the visual and performing arts. Effective planning and implementation of child-centered, age-appropriate curriculum and assessment will be addressed, and strategies for integrating content areas, including the project approach, will be highlighted.

EDUC 4112 Making Connections: Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning (2 cr.)
This course examines themes, issues, and challenges related to developmentally appropriate teaching and learning at the preschool level. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, controversies, and possibilities associated with interdisciplinary preschool teaching and learning.

Infant/Toddler Concentration Courses

EDUC 3101 Professionalism and Advocacy in the Early Childhood Field (5 cr.)
This course presents an overview of the field of early care and education. Emphasis is on the elements of high-quality programs (birth through preschool), governing standards and regulations, and historical perspectives. The course also focuses on what it means to be an early childhood professional and also on career options in the field of early care and education.

EDUC 3202 Quality Programs for Infants and Toddlers (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the breadth and depth of the field of infant/toddler care and education, emphasizing characteristics of quality infant/toddler programs. Students study the foundations of infant/toddler development, the integral role of the infant/toddler professional in fostering children’s growth and ensuring family involvement, and theoretical frameworks key to quality programs. Additional topics include the components of high-quality environments and what it means to be an advocate for young children, their families, and the profession.

EDUC 3203 Infant/Toddler Mental Health (5 cr.)
This course focuses on current research in the field of infant/toddler mental health. Students study protective and risk factors in family environments; social and emotional developmental challenges; developmentally appropriate infant/toddler screening and assessment; diagnostic classification systems for infant/toddler mental health; effective intervention strategies; and collaborative services approaches.

EDUC 3204 Family Cultures of Infants and Toddlers (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview of the way culture impacts “typical” conceptions of infant/toddler development and interactions. Students focus on the ability to form healthy working relationships and respectful partnerships with the families of infants and toddlers across a range of cultures. Included is an investigation into the meaning of various child-rearing behaviors and how they relate to family expectations and cultural traditions with the goal of developing culturally appropriate practices.

EDUC 3211 Making Connections: Foundations of Infant/Toddler Care and Education (2 cr.)
Themes, issues, and controversies central to the field of infant/toddler care and education are examined in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities infant/toddler professionals must understand.

EDUC 3212 Making Connections: Healthy Infant/Toddler Growth and Development (2 cr.)
This course focuses on healthy infant/toddler growth and development and related themes, issues, and challenges. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, controversies, and possibilities associated with the overall well-being of very young children.

EDUC 4205 Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Infant Settings (5 cr.)
Offering an in-depth look at infant growth and development, this course emphasizes the role of the caregiver, components of high-quality caregiver-child relationships, and strategies for ensuring developmentally appropriate, individually appropriate, and culturally appropriate practice. Additional topics include understanding and working with families, observation skills, attachment, separation, continuity of care, brain development, and creating nurturing environments for very young children and their families.

EDUC 4206 Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Toddler Settings (5 cr.)
Offering an in-depth look at toddler growth and development, this course emphasizes the role of the toddler caregiver/teacher, the components of high-quality adult-child relationships, and strategies for ensuring developmentally appropriate, individually appropriate, and culturally appropriate practice. Additional topics include observation skills, attachment, separation, working with families, and creating inspiring and supportive environments for young children and their families.

EDUC 4211 Making Connections: Effective Programs for Infants and Toddlers (2 cr.)
Themes and issues related to the challenge of developing and maintaining high-quality infant/toddler settings are the focus of this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their own personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world early childhood settings; and future trends, controversies, and possibilities related to effective programs for infants and toddlers.

Child and Adolescent Studies

EDUC 3301 School-Age and Adolescent Development (5 cr.)
A basic understanding of how school-age children and adolescents develop and learn will be gained from this course. Participants will study typical and atypical cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional development as well as the relationship among these developmental domains.

EDUC 4301 School-Age Children and Adolescents in a Multicultural Society (5 cr.)
The ways that culturally diverse values and social attitudes are transmitted to school-age children and adolescents are explored in this course. Studies will focus on ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. The course will also examine how each of these areas of diversity affects this age group and relates to stereotyping and bias.

EDUC 3302 Making Connections: Professions in the Field of School-Age and Adolescent Development (2 cr.)
This course will provide students with an overview of the practices and professions in the field of school-age and adolescent development, including such topics as careers, interpersonal and professional skills, and ethical/legal guidelines needed for working with school-age children and adolescents, families, and related professionals.

EDUC 3303 Motivating and Guiding School-Age Children and Adolescents (5 cr.)
A continuum of effective strategies needed for working with school-age children and adolescents in group and classroom settings will be addressed by this course. Such strategies include effective communication, positive guidance, modeling/mentoring, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, fostering self-esteem, promoting resilience, and problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

EDUC 4302 Home, School, and Community (5 cr.)
This course explores the spheres of influence on school-age children and adolescents and the techniques needed to facilitate positive relationships among homes, schools, and communities in order to foster healthy development and learning.

EDUC 3304 Making Connections: Effective Learning Environments for School-Age Children and Adolescents (2 cr.)
Effective learning environments for school-age children and adolescents will be examined in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities related to the healthy development and learning of this age group.

EDUC 4303 Trends and Issues in School-Age Children (5 cr.)
Students in this course will critically examine selected issues and trends related to school-age children, such as technology/media, bullying, gender, abuse prevention, drugs/alcohol, obesity, eating disorders, stress, peer relationships, and school success.

EDUC 4304 Trends and Issues in Adolescence (5 cr.)
Students in this course will critically examine selected issues and trends related to adolescence such as technology/media, (cyber) bullying, gender, sexual orientation, drugs/alcohol, obesity, eating disorders, depression, self-injury, suicide, teenage pregnancy, and school success.

EDUC 4305 Making Connections: The Role of the Professional (2 cr.)
The role of the professional as advocate, interventionist, family liaison, and public policymaker will be explored in this course. Students will make connections between the key topics and their personal experiences, interests, and aspirations; other coursework; current research; real-world settings; and future trends, challenges, and possibilities related to the development of the whole child.

EDUC 4500 Capstone (7 cr.)
This course provides students the opportunity to integrate knowledge of child development; principles and methods of working with school-age children and adolescents; and current research, issues, and trends that affect this age group. Students are required to create a project that demonstrates both synthesis and application of this knowledge.

Family Health and Wellness

HLTH 4300 Personal Health and Wellness (5 cr.)
This course introduces essential factors that promote or challenge the development of personal health and healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, mental and emotional health, sexuality and relationships, violence and injury, and substance abuse . Students examine how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence people’s perception of their health as well as their health behavior. Students review tools for assessing health and risk and have the opportunity to assess their own health and behavior using a health risk appraisal.

HLTH 4320 Nutrition Across the Lifespan (5 cr.)
Human nutritional requirements change over the course of the lifespan. This course examines the fundamentals of nutrition and the variation of nutritional needs at different life stages, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Students discuss issues such as obesity and eating disorders, as well as the link between diet and disease. Students conduct a personal dietary assessment and analyze the relationship between food choices and health status in their own lives.

HLTH 4340 Fit and Well: Core Concepts of Exercise Science (5 cr.)
Physical fitness is an important component of overall health and quality of life. This course focuses on the fundamental concepts and principles of physical fitness, including flexibility, cardiovascular health, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition, as well as the physiological and psychological processes through which exercise influences health. Students create a personalized fitness program and explore the health advantages of a physically active lifestyle, including the mental, social, and psychological benefits. They also examine the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly with regard to the risk of chronic disease.

HLTH 4360 Stress Management and Wellness (5 cr.)
This course presents a holistic approach to stress management. It addresses the emotional and physical dimensions of stress, as well as their scientific foundations and physiological pathways. Students explore the mind-body connection, and they study fundamental principles, theories, and relaxation techniques—including cognitive and physical behavior change interventions—that can help people effectively manage personal stress. Students also discuss related topics such as anger management, conflict resolution, anxiety, and time management.

HLTH 4380 Strategies for Health Communication and Wellness (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the principles and theories of health communication and their application to health promotion and behavior change. Students examine how to design and deliver health messages to various audiences, while remaining sensitive to cultural, socioeconomic, and educational factors influencing the audience. Students evaluate important dimensions of inter- and intra-cultural communication and study how to make scholarly writing accessible to the general population. They also explore the use of emerging technologies and social media in marketing and communications.

Psychology Concentration Courses

EDUC 3301 School-Age and Adolescent Development (5 cr.)
A basic understanding of how school-age children and adolescents develop and learn will be gained from this course. Participants will study typical and atypical cognitive, physical, and socioemotional development as well as the relationship among these developmental domains.

EDUC 4102 Play and Learning for the Preschool Child (5 cr.)
This course addresses an essential question in early childhood education: Why is play integral to children’s development and learning? Students will not only learn the theory, methods, and materials needed to support and enhance children’s play and learning in preschool settings but also better understand the vital role of play in fostering growth in each of the developmental domains. Topics include maintaining developmentally appropriate environments; providing opportunities for high-quality, productive play and learning experiences; and assessing development and learning through observation of play-based activities and learning experiences.

EDUC 4205 Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Infant Settings (5 cr.)
Offering an in-depth look at infant growth and development, this course emphasizes the role of the caregiver, components of high-quality caregiver-child relationships, and strategies for ensuring developmentally appropriate, individually appropriate, and culturally appropriate practice. Additional topics include understanding and working with families, observation skills, attachment, separation, continuity of care, brain development, and creating nurturing environments for very young children and their families.

EDUC 4206 Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Toddler Settings (5 cr.)
Offering an in-depth look at toddler growth and development, this course emphasizes the role of the toddler caregiver/teacher, the components of high-quality adult-child relationships, and strategies for ensuring developmentally appropriate, individually appropriate, and culturally appropriate practice. Additional topics include observation skills, attachment, separation, working with families, and creating inspiring and supportive environments for young children and their families.

PSYC 1002 Psychology as a Natural Science (5 cr.)
Psychology as it is known today has its roots in philosophy and in the natural sciences such as biology and chemistry. In this first of a two-course sequence, students explore major theories and topics related to the natural science aspect of the science of psychology. Topics include methods of analysis, learning, memory, cognitive principles, brain functioning as it relates to psychology, sensation, perception, evolution, motivation, and emotions. The focus of this course is on an understanding of how biological and physiological processes influence behavior.

PSYC 1003 Psychology as a Social Science (5 cr.)
Contemporary psychology is, in many ways, the study of how people interact, relate, and develop as members of society. In this second part of a two-course sequence, students are introduced to the principle theories, topics, and applications related to the social science aspects of psychology including social, developmental, cultural, personality, and abnormal psychology. Students apply what they learn to case studies and real-life examples, focusing on how individuals are influenced by their environments.

PSYC 2004 Motivation and Emotion (5 cr.)
What drives people to do what they do is the focus of the study of motivation and emotion. In this course, students explore basic theories of motivation and emotion; bodily needs, such as hunger, thirst, and sex, that drive people to action; concepts in motivation such as achievement, altruism, and conflict; and concepts related to emotion including happiness, hormonal influences, and mood. (Prerequisite: PSYC 1001, PSYC 1002, or PSYC 1003)

PSYC 2005 Social Influences on Behavior (5 cr.)
It has been said that no person is an island, meaning, in part, that people are influenced by others and by the social situations in which they find themselves. This course focuses on the basic concepts and applications of social psychology and includes such topics as attitudes, beliefs, and behavior; stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination; interpersonal relationships; group behavior; and the effect of environmental stressors on behavior. Students apply principles learned to case studies and to situations in daily life.

PSYC 4002 Brain and Behavior (5 cr.)
Understanding the brain and how it functions has contributed significantly to the understanding of how people react and adapt to their environments. In this course, students examine basic brain physiology and learn how the brain functions to control behavior. Topics include specific applications of brain structure to memory and attention, sensation and perception, development, socialization, motivation and emotion, and socialization. Students apply what they have learned about the brain to psychological health and well-being. (Prerequisite: PSYC 1001, PSYC 1002, or PSYC 1003)